To celebrate Arbor Day, 500 free trees will be available to the public on Saturday, April 27 beginning at 10 a.m. in the Cell Phone Lot at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF). Funding for the tree giveaway is provided by the Louisville Renaissance Zone Corporation in partnership with the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, which owns and operates Louisville Muhammad Ali International and Bowman Field (LOU).
“We are committed to being a good neighbor, and this giveaway provides us the opportunity to do so while improving the environment and tree canopy for the area,” said Dan Mann, President of the Louisville Renaissance Zone Corporation and Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority. “This event also allows us to partner with local organizations and ensure that we’re giving back to the community in ways that leave a lasting impact for years to come.”
The event, which will conclude no later than 4 p.m. or while supplies last, is held in partnership with Louisville Grows. Louisville Grows is a local 501(c)(3) organization whose mission supports urban forestry, environmental education and urban agricultural.
“Louisville Grows appreciates the opportunity to partner with the Louisville Renaissance Zone Corporation and Airport Authority to promote the healthy benefit of planting trees through this giveaway,” said Ked Stanfield, Executive Director of Louisville Grows. “Fifty years down the road, these trees are going to be producing oxygen and shade for residents across the Louisville Metro area. Partnerships like this are what we need to continue to grow greener, healthier neighborhoods.”
A variety of 15 different tree species will be available – all native to the area and considered non-ornamental. Each tree is approximately 5-foot to 10-foot tall and will come bundled in its own individual container. The following tree species will be distributed: American Hophornbeam, American Hornbeam, Autumn Blaze Maple, Bald Cypress, Brandywine Maple, Chinquapin Oak, Exclamation Sycamore, Ginkgo Biloba Tree, Kentucky Coffeetree, Kousa Dogwood, Eastern Redbud, Sugar Maple, Sunset Maple, Sun Valley Maple, and Sweetgum.
The public is encouraged to follow along on the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport’s Facebook and Twitter pages for the status of available trees as the event progresses. The Louisville Renaissance Zone Corporation promotes economic development and airport-compatible redevelopment in the Renaissance South Business Park. The Business Park is comprised of approximately 680 acres and located within two miles of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in an area that was previously part of the Airport Authority’s Voluntary Residential Relocation Program.
The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is served by six airlines offering flights to more than 30 nonstop destinations, including 19 of the region’s top 20 domestic markets. With just one stop, travelers from across the region can reach more than 460 destinations in the U.S. and worldwide.
